Now Two Americans With Ebola Are Headed To The US

A Medevac flight was on its way to Liberia to pick up American
patients affected with Ebola, CNN reported on Thursday. While Emory
University Hospital in Atlanta confirmed
that at least one evacuated patient would be treated in their
special isolation ward, the details of the transfer, who had
arranged it, and how many patients were involved remained
unknown.

Now the U.S. Department of State has confirmed in a statement that it, along with the CDC, is
facilitating the medical evacuation of two American patients with
Ebola. Reports suggest that these patients are likely the aid
workers Ken Brantly and Nancy Writebol, though the government's
statement did reveal the identity of the patients involved.

"We are so heartened that Nancy is in stable condition and that
plans are underway to bring her back to the U.S.," said Bruce
Johnson, president of SIM USA, the organization that sent
Writebol to Liberia, in a statement. "We are grateful for the
help and support of the U.S. State Department in this endeavor."

According to Reuters, "The plane can carry only one
patient back at a time, and the organization said it did not know
yet whether Brantly or Writebol would return to the United States
first."

Here is the full statement, released on August 1:

The State Department, together with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), is facilitating a medical
evacuation for two U.S. citizens who have been infected by
Ebola in West Africa. The safety and security of U.S. citizens
is our paramount concern. Every precaution is being taken to
move the patients safely and securely, to provide critical care
en route on a non-commercial aircraft, and to maintain strict
isolation upon arrival in the United States.

These evacuations will take place over the coming days. CDC
protocols and equipment are used for these kinds of medical
evacuations so that they are carried out safely, thereby
protecting the patient and the American public, as has been
done with similar medical evacuations in the past.

Upon arriving in the United States, the patients will be taken
to medical facilities with appropriate isolation and treatment
capabilities.

Because of privacy considerations, we will not be able to
confirm the names or other specific details of these particular
cases.

For matters relating to public health precautions in the United
States, we would refer to the CDC, which has the overall lead
role on those issues within the U.S. Government.